Bow string tensioner and finger protector



April 19, 1966 R. J. MILLER 3,246,338

BOW STRING TENSIONER AND FINGER PROTECTOR Filed Nov. 25, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. RONALD J. MILLER ATTORNEY A ril 19, 1966 R. J. MILLER 3,245,338

BOW STRING TENSIONER AND FINGER PROTECTOR Filed Nov. 23, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H615 FIG, 6

28 2'8 2 8 25 INVENTOR.

RONALD J ILLER BY ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,246,338 BOW STRING TENSIONER AND FINGER PROTECTOR Ronald J. Miller, Box 90A, Rte. 1, Darien Center, N.Y. Filed Nov. 23, 1962, Ser. No. 239,739 Claims. (Cl. 2-21) The present invention relates to an improved com bined bow string tensioner and finger protector for use in archery.

In the sport of archery, sustained activity with any degree of accuracy is an extremely difiicult feat, even for the most expert arc-hers. This is due to the fact that sustained tensioning of a bow string results in the tiring and injuring of the fingers, thereby precluding the repeated exact placement of these fingers in a predetermined relationship to each other for each shot, as is required for continued accuracy. More specifically, in tensioning a bow string, the index, middle and ring fingers are generally used. Each time the bow string is tensioned and released by these fingers, they are subjected to strain, localized pressure from the bow string, binding pressure resulting from the V formed by the tensioned bow string tending to press thefingers together, and friction of the bow string as it slides off the ends of the fingers during release of the bow string. Continued activity not only causes the fingers to tire because of thestrain but also causes them to swell because of the various pressures and to chafe because of the friction. The foregoing factors cause the archer after a sustained period of shooting, to depart from his desired optimum finger placement, thereby causing him to lose his accuracy.

In the past various devices have been developed in an attempt to protect the archer during periods of sustained activity. However, previous devices did not effectively eliminate all of the foregoing factors which resulted in an archers accuracy decreasing in direct proportion to his length of activity. It is with the providing of an improved bow string tensioner and finger protector which overcomes the shortcomings of prior devices that the present invention is concerned.

It is accordingly the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved bow string tensioner and finger protector which permits an archer to engage in sustained periods of activity without injury to his fingers. A related object of the present invention is to provide a device of this type which permits the archer to continue to maintain his fingers in a predetermined relationship during every shot, regardless of the length of time he has been engaged in shooting, thereby permitting him to maintain a relatively high degree of accuracy over a relatively long period of time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved bow string tensioner and finger protector which permits a truer, more accurate, and cleaner release of an arrow than has heretofore been possible. Other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will readily be perceived hereafter.

The improved combined bow string tensioner and finger protector of the present invention comprises a rigid elongate body member having a first surface with a slot therein for receiving a bow string. A second surface is on the opposite side of said rigid elongate body member from said first surface and is adapted to extend transversely of and rest on a plurality of fingers of an archers hand between the tips and first joints thereof. Preferably this second surface rests on the index, middle, and ring fingers. A strap arrangement is fastened to the elongate body member for securing it to the archers hand to thereby prevent the body member from falling from the hand when the bow string is released. Because "Ice the second surface of the rigid elongate body member has a greater area than the bow string, the pressure of the tensioned bow string is distributed over a greater area of the fingers than if the bow string were held di rectly by the fingers. The foregoing results in subjecting the fingers to less localized pressure, thereby virtually eliminating their swelling after sustained use. Furthermore, because the elongate body member is rigid, the V formed by a drawn bow string cannot pinch the above mentioned three fingers together, thereby also eliminating the condition which causes the swelling thereof. The elongate body member also includes a peripheral portion proximate the extremities of the fingers which causes a bow string, which has been released from the slot, to be guided around the extremitie of the fingers, thereby obviating the chafing thereof which is experienced when the bow string rolls across the extremeties of the fingers. It is to be especially noted that the bow string remains in the slot until the elongate body member has been pivoted about its longitudinal axis to a predetermined position by the opening of the fingers. After the above mentioned predetermined position has been reached, the bow string will be instantaneously released from the slot, thereby providing a truer, more accurate, and cleaner release of the arrow than if the bow string were permitted to roll across the extremities of the fingers. The improved finger protector virtually obviates tiring, swelling, and chafing of the fingers, thereby permitting an archer to consistently effect a predetermined finger placement for each shot, even after periods of sustained activity, said consistent predetermined finger placement being prerequisite for continued accuracy. The foregoing continued accuracy is further promoted by the fact that release of the bow string from the slot is instantaneous. The present invention will be more fully understood when the following portions of the specification are read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved combined bow string tensioner and finger protector held in the hand of an archer during the tensioning of a bow string;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the improved bow string tensioner and finger protector;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the improved combined bow string tensioner and finger protector;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a modified embodiment of the improved bow string tensioner and finger protector;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a further modified embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a view of an adjustable strap for use with various embodiments of the invention.

In FIGS. 1-4 the improved combined bow string tensioner and finger protector 10 of the present invention is shown which includes an elongate body member 11 having a surface 12' thereon with an elongated slot a groove 13 extending throughout the length thereof. A second surface 14 (FIG. 3) is provided on the opposite side of. body member 11 from surface 12 for resting against the index, middle, and ring fingers 15, 16, and 17, respectively, of the archers hand 18 between the first joints and the outer tips thereof.

A retaining construction is provided for securing elongate body member 11 to an archers hand. More specifically, a strap 19 has one end thereof formed into a loop 20 which fits through slot 21 in elongate body member 11,

strap 19 having an end portion (not numbered) stitched to the main-portion of strap 19 at 22 to form='said-loop.

It will be noted that the side of slot 21 which receives loop is recessed so that the latter does not lie within slot 13 and therefore cannot interfere with bow string 23 which lies within slot 13. Strap 19 has a plurality of snaps 24longitudinally spaced thereon, said snaps being adapted to be selectively engaged with central snap 25 on finger band 26 (FIG. 9). Finger bands 26 haveone snap fastener 27 at one end thereof and a plurality of mating snap fasteners 28 at the other end thereofl A pair of, finger bands 26 are fastened to band .19 by means of snaps 24 and 25, the proper spacing between bands 26 being determined by whichof snaps 24 are used. In this mannerfinger bands 26can be located at a required distance from each other so that one band 26 comfortably fits between the first and second joints and another band 26 fits between the second joint and knuckle of an archers middle finger 16. It is to be noted. that snap portions-27 and 28 of bands 26 permit the diameter ofbands 26 to be adjusted to the size of an archers finger.

In using the device of the present invention, the serving 29 of bow string 23 is located within longitudinal slot 13 during the tensioning of the bow string. The nock'3t) of arrow 31 fits over a portion of the serving, as is well known. It canreadily be seen that when the bow string is tensioned by the use ,of the improved bow string tensioner and finger protector of the present invention, the pressure of bow string 23 is distributed over a relatively large area of the archers fingers and therefore does not cut into them, thereby obviating the tendency of the fingers to swell because of localized pressure. Furthermore, since the elongate body member 11 is rigid, inasmuch as it is made of metal or suitable plastic, the V which is formed by the tensioned bow string does not tend to press fingers 15, 16, and 17 together, thereby obviating the pressure on such fingers which causes them to swell and tire.

After the bow string has been tensioned in the foregoing manner, release thereof is effected by opening fingers 15, 16, and 17 and causing the outer ends thereof to pivot about the first joints into the plane of the drawing.

in FIG. 1. A point will be reached during such pivotal movement when the bow string 23 leaves slot 13 and release of the bow string is effected. This release is instantaneous because the bow string does not have to roll across the tips of fingers 15, 16, and 17 during such release. Therefore the release of the bow string isclean and sharp, thereby providing a truer and more accurate shot than if the bow string were permitted to roll across the tips of the fingers.

"A tab or peripheral lip portion 32 extends forwardly from elongate body member 11. This tab may be of any desired configuration and may. extend along aportion of the front edgeof elongate body member 11, as shown,

or may extend across theentire front edge, or it may constitute a widened portion of elongate body member 11 extremityof index finger 15 when the fingers are bent to support the surface 14-of elongate body member 11. The foregoing configuration is desirable because of. the manner in which the fingers normally lineup under the fore-1 going circumstances, that is the index finger is straighter" than the middle and ring fingers during bow string tensioning. Alternately, the upper portion of elongate body member above slot 21 may be tapered across its width with the edge nearestsband 21 being thinner than the edge nearest tab 32, as shown in FIG. 3, to provide a firm rest for the straighter index finger.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 a modified embodiment of the present invention is shown. The elongate body member 11', slot 13, and tab 32, are the same as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-4. However this embodiment differs from the above described embodiment because it has a tab 33 which extends from the rear edge of elongate body member 11'. Tab 33 is in the nature of a lever which lies between the first and second joints of the middle finger 16 and aids in rotating elongate body member 11' about its longitudinal axis during release of the bow string as the fingers are opened. Furthermore the construction for retaining elongate body member 11'- in the handof the archer differs from that shownin FIGS. 1-4because; it consists of apair of bands 26' which fit over the indexand ring fingers-15 and 17 between the second joints and the knuckles thereof. Bands 26' may be adjustable in the same manner as described above with respect to bands 26 of FIG. 9, if desired. Strings or rawhide thongs 34 have first ends thereof formed into loops (not numbered) which fit through loops 35 formed integrally with body member 11' on opposite sides of tab 33. The other ends 36 of thongs 34 are sewn to bands 26'. The embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 has the same advantages noted above with respect to FIGS. 14. 25

In FIGS. 7 and 8 astill further embodiment of the present invention is shown. This embodiment is for use by archers who hold the nock of an arrow between the index and middle fingers, whereas the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4 and 56 are for use by archers who permit the nock of the arrow to be held within the portion of serving above the index finger, as shown in FIG. 1. The combined bow string tensioner and finger protector of FIGS. 7 and 8 includes an elongate body member 37v having alongitudinal slot 38 extending throughout one face thereof, said slot h-aving upper and lower portions 39 and 40, respectively, on opposite sides of centrally located slot 41. A tab 42 extends forwardly from elongate body member 37 for protecting the tips of the fingers in the same manner as described above with respect to tab 32 of FIGS. 1-4. Elongate body member 37 has an open portion 43 in the front edge thereof and a bowed out portion 44 in the rear edge thereof. Open portion 43 and bowed out portion 44 accommodate the noekof an arrow while the index finger 15 supports the rear surface of upper portion 45 of elongate body member 37 and the middle and ring fingers 16 and 17, respectively, support the rear surface of lower portion 46 of elongate body member 37. Band 19' associated with the device 1 of FIGS. 7 and 8 may be of the same construction described above with respect to band 19 of FIGS. 1-4.

Finger bands 26" may be of the same construction de-' scribed above with respect to band 26 of FIG. 9. While only one finger band 26" is shown in FIGS. 7and. 8, it.

' .will be appreciated that two finger bands can also be used as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 4.

The improved combined bow string tensioner and finger protector of the present invention is manifestly capable of achieving the above enumerated objects, and while preferred embodiments of the invention have been. dis-. closed, it will readily be understood that the presentinvention is not to be limited thereto, but may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

the fingers of an archers hand and 'in a position between the extremities and first joints of said fingers, a second surface on said rigid elongate body member on the oppo-;

site side of said elongate body member from said firstsurface and adapted to extend transversely of and rest on a plurality of fingersof an archers hand between the extremities and first joints thereof and being of a shape to cause said elongate body member to be supported primarily by said fingers between the extremities and first joints thereof during tensioning of said bow string to thereby cause said tensioned bow string to be supported primarily by said fingers between the extremities and first joints thereof and to distribute the pressure of a tensioned bow string onto a greater area of said fingers than if said bow string were held directly by said fingers, said rigidity of said elongate body member preventing the V formed by a drawn bow string from pinching said fingers together, said groove means permitting said bow string to be released instantaneously thereby obviating the rolling of said bo-w string across said fingers incidental to release of said how string, peripheral lip means on said elongate body member extending toward the extremities of said fingers from said groove means to guide :1 released bow string from said groove means around said extremities of said fingers to thereby prevent said bow string from chafing said extremities of said fingers, and means for securing said elongate body member relative to said archers hand to thereby prevent said elongate body member from leaving said archers hand incidental to the release of said bow string.

2. A combined bow string tensioner and finger protector as set forth in claim 1 including a lever member extending from said elongate body member on the opposite side thereof from said peripheral lip means for rotating said elongate body member about its longitudinal axis during the release of said bow string.

3. A combined bow string tensioner and finger protector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongate body member includes an opening in the edge thereof facing toward the extremities of said fingers with a first portion of said elongate body member lying to one side of said opening and adapted to rest on the index finger of an archers hand, and a second portion of said elongate body member lying below said opening and adapted to rest on the middle and ring fingers of said archers hand.

4. A combined bow string tensioner and finger protector as set forth in claim 3 including a lever member extending from said elongate body member on the opposite thereof from said peripheral lip means for rotating said elongate body member about its longitudinal axis during the release of said bow string.

5. A combined bow string tensioner and finger protector comprising a rigid elongate body member, a first surface on said rigid elongate body member, means associated with said first surface for receiving a bow string in a direction transverse to the fingers of an archers hand and in a position between the extremities and first joints of said fingers, a second surface on said rigid elongate body member on the opposite side of said elongate body member from said first surface and adapted toextend transversely of and rest on a plurality of fingers of an archers hand between the extremities and first joints thereof and being of a shape to cause said elongate body member to be supported primarily by said fingers between the extremities and first joints thereof during tensioning of said how string to thereby cause said tensioned bow string to be supported primarily by said fingers between the extremities and first joints thereof and to distribute the pressure of a tensioned bow string onto a greater area of said fingers than if said bow string were held directly by said fingers, said rigidity of said elongate body member preventing the V formed by a drawn bo-w string from pinching said fingers together, said means associated with said first surface of said elongate body member permitting said bow string to be released instantaneously thereby obviating the rolling of said how string across said fingers incidental to release of said bow string, band means adapted to fit over a finger of said archers hand for securing said elongate body member to said archers hand to thereby prevent said elongate body member from leaving said archers hand incidental to release of said how string, and means for securing said band means to said elongate body member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,084,634 5/1937 Flury 124-35 2,133,650 10/1938 Baker 124-35 2,461,042 2/ 1949 Eicholtz 12535 2,769,179 11/1956 Love.

2,929,372 3/1960 Vance l24--35 2,996,059 8/1961 Vance 124-35 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS R. PRINCE, Examiner. 

1. A COMBINED BOW STRING TENSIONER AND FINGER PROTECTOR COMPRISING A RIGID ELONGATE BODY MEMBER, A FIRST ARCUATE SURFACE ON SAID RIGID ELONGATE BODY MEMBER, GROOVE MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FIRST ARCUATE SURFACE FOR RECEIVING A BOW STRING IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSE TO THE FINGERS OF AN ARCHER''S HAND AND IN A POSITION BETWEEN THE EXTREMITIES AND FIRST JOINTS OF SAID FINGERS, A SECOND SURFACE ON SAID RIGID ELONGATE BODY MEMBER ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID ELONGATE BODY MEMBER FROM SAID FIRST SURFACE AND ADAPTED TO EXTEND TRANSVERSELY OF AND REST ON A PLURALITY OF FINGERS ON AN ARCHER''S HAND BETWEEN THE EXTREMITIES AND FIRST JOINTS THEREOF AND BEING OF A SHAPE TO CAUSE SAID ELONGATE BODY MEMBER TO BE SUPPORTED PRIMARILY BY SAID FINGERS BETWEEN THE EXTREMITIES AND FIRST JOINTS THEREOF DURING TENSIONING OF SAID BOW STRING TO THEREBY CAUSE SAID TENSIONED BOW STRING TO BE SUPPORTED PRIMARILY BY SAID FINGERS BETWEEN THE EXTREMITIES AND FIRST JOINTS THEREOF AND TO DISTRIBUTE THE PRESSURE OF A TENSIONED BOW STRING ONTO A GREATER AREA OF SAID FINGERS THAN IF SAID BOW STRING WERE HELD DIRECTLY BY SAID FINGERS, THAN RIGIDITY OF SAID ELONGATE BODY MEMBER PREVENTING THE V FORMED BY A DRAWN BOW STRING FROM PINCHING SAID FINGERS TOGETHER, SAID GROOVE MEANS PERMITTING SAID BOW STRING TO BE RELEASED INSTANTANEOUSLY THEREBY OBVIATING THE ROLLING OF SAID BOW STRING ACROSS SAID FINGERS INCIDENTAL TO RELEASE OF SAID BOW STRING, PERIPHERAL LIP MEANS ON SAID ELONGATE BODY MEMBER EXTENDING TOWARD THE EXTREMITIES OF SAID FINGERS FROM SAID GROOVE MEANS TO GUIDE A RELEASED BOW STRING FROM SAID GROOVE MEANS AROUND SAID EXTREMITIES OF SAID FINGERS TO THEREBY PREVENT SAID BOW STRING FROM CHAFING SAID EXTREMITIES OF SAID FINGERS, AND MEANS FOR SECURING SAID ELONGATE BODY MEMBER RELATIVE TO SAID ARCHER''S HAND TO THEREBY PREVENT SAID ELONGATE BODY MEMBER FROM LEAVING SAID ARCHER''S HAND INCIDENTAL TO THE RELEASE OF SAID BOW STRING. 